Fun things to do in Valle d'Aosta

Pre de bar is a glacier you will see right as you enter Valle d'Aosta if you come by foot from Switzerland.
It´s situated very nice and i think that entering italy this way is one of the most scenic hiking experiences in the world.

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After skiing at one of the Aosta valley resorts such as Champoluc, La Thuile or Courmayeur what better way to end your day than this relaxing thermal spa, which has been in existence as a tourist destination since 1834.

I finally visited the Terme (as it is known in Italian) this year, and I am not sure why I waited so long. The price is very reasonable for what is provided. For 32€ (38€ during holiday seasons) you get a day to enjoy the spa.

You are given a bathrobe, towel, sandals and locker key card and are then left at liberty to visit the natural thermal waters with various 'stations' of jet bubbles to massage your back, or the 'waterfall room', or float around in the hot wading pool which has underwater music. The waters naturally come out of the ground at 37-38C.

There are steam rooms and saunas which are heated at different temperatures - some have aroma therapy and there is a salt scrub you can apply at one of the turkish steam baths. Once you are wrung out like a wet noodle, you can relax in one of many rooms dedicated to simply that. Some are scented, some have color therapy while others are just quiet. When hungry visit the canteen with a buffet of fresh fruit, bread sticks and juices, herbal tea and spring water - all included in your entry fee.

There are also various types of massages available by extra charge and by pre-booking. All in all a very relaxing and enjoyable experience! Children under 14 are not admitted to the spa. The spa is full of both men and women, young and old - the Italians definitely know how to enjoy life!

Also note that many hotels in Aosta and the Mt Blanc area offer discounts on entrance to the spa. http://www.termedipre.it/partner_hotel.asp . Also, if you stay in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc during the 'high season' there is a free bus that leaves from the Hotel Alpina in town center to the spa at Pré-Saint-Didier and returns later in the day. Ask for information at the hotel or the Office of Tourism in Chamonix.

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Rafting it's easy...you get a boat, a guide, dress with properly clothes and you go navigate into a river:-) But there is lots of adrenaline..the river is not quiet, and so u have to "fight" with it. It's a thing that everyone can do, it's not dangerous at all: anyway the guide will explain u in a little briefing the safe rules. It's funny, and it make u spend a good half day.I tryed the "battesimo" on the Dora river..it's the most easy track. It's a thing that i suggest to do if you are with some friends 'couse u can make it all togheter.If you are a big group you can decide to split and make a race..boat versus boat..as i did with my friends (we were 9 persons)..it's great to make a competition and who lose, pay the dinner:-P Rememeber to phone for booking it. And there are just 2 tracks every day, one in the morning and one in the early afternoon

In Chamois there are 5 paths, from medium difficulty to easy: u haven't a lot of km to ski, but it's nice because it isn't so much crowded and u can ski in the middle of the peace! if u want more info visit the web site below

Both in summer that in winter can be made many walks. In summer they are visible signs of the tracks, with the times necessary in order to complete the distance.
U can do the same in winter, but Take care cause the snow can cover stones or hole. If u want to do high level hicking I concil you to contat a a local alpine guide ( u cna have info in the tourist offices). Th alpine guide are famouse all over the world for their professionality and experience: the Valle d'Aosta is the native land of the alpinism.

Chamois is a romantic small village near Antey. In Chamois there aren't car, only motor slidge in winter or tractors in summer to provide the houses and the little hotel and restaurants there are on this small plateau.
U can arrive there only with the cable way making a big jump from the valley on the rocks!
Here u can see the old farmer house with barn for the cows...a walk in the village can help u to understand how hard was the life there only 50' years ago.

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Up the hill to the north west of Courmayeur is the beautiful Val Ferret. This long hanging valley has a small but fast river running down the middle of it, beautiful mountains along it's sides and a number of different hamlets (with restaurants etc.) dotted along it. There is a road you can drive on, which ends just at the Swiss border, making this very accessible to hikers of all levels and a very nice day trip. It is also part of the Tour de Mont Blanc (a several day hiking tour that circumnavigates Mt Blanc).
Part of this area has trails through protected marsh lands, where you can see some unusual plant life in spring. We saw quite a few wild orchids in early spring and lots of tiny frogs. The good thing is the hiking is so flat once you reach Val Ferret, that anyone can go on the hikes - we brought my husband's parents, both in their 70s who enjoyed the walking very much.

As you approach Breuil-Cervinia from the south, you should stop to have a look at Lago Blu (the Blue Lake). It is not a very big lake, and can get a bit crowded on nice days, but well worth a visit. Lovely for a picnic if you can plan well enough.

The reflection of the mountains in the lake is breath-taking.